Self-sacrifice ... What associations does this word evoke in you? Of course, self-denial for the sake of a high ideal, heroism, saving lives and standing guard over moral values, altruism and nobility. It's hard to argue with that. But is self-sacrifice always a sincere bestowal, can one call it morality and greatness of the soul? Or is it a false and useless chivalry? Let's try to figure it out.
Slavic mentality
The great writer and honorary academician Leo Tolstoy, who lived in the 19th century, once said that self-sacrifice is the most offensive form of egoism. As a wise philosopher, he knew what he was talking about. Tolstoy drew attention to the Slavic mentality: from our very birth, each of us has a desire to devote our lives to higher goals. We are not individualists by nature. In addition, in the Slavic countries, the desire to sacrifice oneself is encouraged and educated from childhood: for the benefit of one's neighbor, homeland, ideas.
It is clear that self-sacrifice during the war is justified. If it were not for the exploits of our grandfathers during the Second World War, it is not known what problems and troubles our nation would expect. As for self-sacrifice for the sake of a loved one, many also consider him a sign of good taste. You can’t even remember about children: there is an opinion that a woman is simply obliged to put her life on the altar of children's whims and desires. Although how can you grow happy, knowing that someone nearby should suffer from this.
The basis of self-sacrifice
It is generally accepted that the foundation of this trait of a person’s character, model of behavior and belief is love. Like, a deep feeling pushes us to exploits: I want to devote myself to a soul mate, to children, and in some cases even to colleagues and our beloved business in general, free of charge. But psychologists say this is a myth. The problem of self-sacrifice is that its foundation is completely unattractive - it is insecurity and fear.
Doubting, a person does not feel within himself strength, power, hardness. Such an individual thinks that on his own he is not capable of
actions worthy of respect, so he begins to live on the achievements and problems of other people. In addition, he is confident that, being a loser, it is not even worth the indulgence of society. As a result, he begins to fight for the location of loved ones, while taking out their sleeves trump card - self-sacrifice, which becomes a tool of manipulation. Fear arises from the fear of losing a loved one.
Selfishness is the starting point
The saddest thing in this story is this: the further you delve into the maze of self-sacrifice, the worse for you. The consequences can even be tragic. Look around - there are many examples around: grown up children who are heavily patronized by their parents do not call them for months, and wives who abandoned their careers and communicate with friends to take care of their loved ones remain abandoned husbands or end up cheating for the rest of their lives. Do not rush to stigmatize traitors, because in this situation only you are to blame.
The ingratitude of loved ones is the main problem of self-sacrifice. The arguments that you will hear from people will be undeniable: "Who asked you?" And they will be right. Nobody begged you to give up your own interests and desires, you made your choice. Accusing, for example, a child of the impossibility of establishing personal life because of eternal care for him, think about whether you are not shifting responsibility for your own mistakes and failures in relations with representatives of the opposite sex. That is why self-sacrifice is pure egoism. After all, a person does what is convenient and profitable for him, not thinking about whether his relatives need it.
Spawn of evil
If self-sacrifice occurs at the level of an individual family or collective, its destructive dimensions are not so global. When the interests of a huge power, people or a large group of people are affected, the consequences can be very adverse. The problem of self-sacrifice, the arguments of which are aimed at protecting and protecting one or another object, often form the basis of terrorism. After all, those who undermine themselves and the hostages sincerely believe that they are dying for the good of religion.
Very clearly and clearly similar logic can be traced in the actions of terrorists who profess Islam. Members of Hamas or Hezbollah organizations, for example, by killing hundreds of people, do not feel guilty. Like, they commit a sacrificial act, for which they will be rewarded in the next life. It is only from this example that we can conclude that self-sacrifice is not always a good thing. Sometimes it can lead to tragic events and many innocent victims.
Self-sacrifice
Many psychologists are sure that not every person is capable of such an act. According to some scientists, self-sacrifice is inherited. This means that the desire to devote life to other people lies at the genetic level. It also contributes to the upbringing: a child who has grown up in a family where the mother gives the last money to charity, considers this model of behavior to be correct, since he has not encountered the opposite. It forms the worldview and collective zombies, which are often traced in religious sects or other communities.
Regardless of the source, self-sacrifice is conscious and one that works on a subconscious level. The first is to understand a person’s sacrifice and its price, meaning and ultimate goal. A soldier, falling on his chest on an enemy pillbox, in the last seconds of his life knows that his action saves his comrades from certain death. Such a sacrifice is worthy of respect, it is truly heroic. As for the unconscious, these are exactly the situations that we mentioned. Unjustified, unnecessary self-sacrifice becomes a trap, where a person who tries to manipulate his behavior and wants to stop the development of an individual at a level comfortable for him draws a person.
Sacrifice in literature
Many Russian writers, being true Slavs, often touch on this topic in their works. Examples of self-sacrifice can be traced, for example, in the works of Dostoevsky. The heroines of his novel "Crime and Punishment" Sonechka Marmeladova and Dunya Raskolnikov sacrifice themselves for the sake of dear people. The first sells the body, earning a living for the family. She suffers, but does not even have the right to suicidal triviality, as her relatives will be left without a piece of bread. The second is going to marry an unloved, but rich man, only to help his poor brother.
Maxim Gorky also often described cases of self-sacrifice. For example, in “The Old Woman Isergil”, Danko is his embodiment. The romantic hero, leading people through the forest, tore his chest and took out his heart, illuminating him, like a torch, a path in the dark. Supporters followed him and overcame a difficult road. Danko died, and the people very quickly forgot their hero. The question arises: was this self-sacrifice necessary? Think about it before giving up your own dreams and aspirations for another person’s legs.